The Eagle Trail

Description

Who is the traitor among us? WWII, German-occupied Antwerp, and life continues as usual for 16-year-old Paul Hansen - until his father is shot. Paul learns that his parents are part of a group of resistance fighters and he's whisked away by Jos Theys, his father's closest friend, to the home of an elderly couple. There Paul learns he must leave Antwerp as quickly as possible and travel south through France and across the Pyrenees into Spain, and from there to England, and freedom. It is a journey to save his life. Along the way he is aided by a collection of courageous men and women prepared to risk everything to help him in his desperate fight for survival. Danger is ever present; who can Paul really trust? A tense, hugely compelling tale of bravery, betrayal and first love.

Robert Rigby is co-author of the hugely successful Boy Soldier series, written with Andy McNab. His other fiction incudes the novels of the Goal! movies and a stand-alone novel in the series - Goal: Glory Days. He is the author of the four official London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic novels for children. Robert also writes for the theatre, television and radio, and is a prolific songwriter. He lives in Oxford.

Beautifully researched and sheds a lot of light on the way in which the resistance movement in occupied France began. It's not easy to take this level of research and accuracy and blend it with an exciting story but Rigby has done a grand job of just that. * The Book Bag * Read if you dare! -- Nick Tucker * Independent on Sunday * It's not easy to take this level of research and accuracy and blend it with an exciting story but Rigby has done a grand job of just that * The Book Bag * Robert Rigby's historical drama is well-researched and fast-paced. Some tense scenes feel really cinematic and the story is peppered with bursts of action that will delight thrill-seekers. But the severity of Paul's situation is not lost in gun-fire and explosions; the book carries the weight of its war theme and will make a useful addition to any school lessons on the subject. A colourful cast of supporting characters adds some memorable moments - the Bugatti-loving priest is a particular highlight. Whilst this feels very much a boys story it should be pointed out that young resistance recruit Josette can certainly hold her own * Booktrust * Spine-tingling * The Oxford Times * Weaves interesting historical details into the story . . . a tense story of courage and betrayal * The Publisher's Association's Best New Children's Books Summer 2014, The Guardian * Exceptional * Yorkshire Reporter *